Bande Mataram
Held on 8th December, 2007 Tingewick Hall, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
In 2007, at the 60th Anniversary of Indian Independence one billion Indians make one-fifth of humanity. India is now the biggest democracy, the fastest growing economy in the world and an emerging scientific and technological nation. Comparing this picture with that of an economically devastated country in 1947 after 200 years of foreign rule, this is an emergence of a huge proportion that took place in only 60 years. India is not just a country; it is the name of a civilisation that has maintained continuity over five millennia. The Indian sub-continent welcomed and assimilated people, cultures and religions from the whole world for all these years. India’s progress, therefore, is a great step forward for the whole mankind. That is why we, in Udayan, invited all, irrespective of nationality and culture, to participate in this celebration.
The title of our programme, Bande Mataram literally means “Hail Motherland”. It was named after the inspiring, soul-stirring national song, composed by the pioneering Bengali poet, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The song became the sacred mantra of patriotism throughout India’s freedom struggle.
In the first part of the programme we presented the vision of emergence of India through a number of immortal Bengali songs. Although these songs moved, shook and inspired an entire nation in its struggle to gain an independent identity, their messages transcend the boundary of nationality and become expressions of truth and freedom for the oppressed. The second part of the programme was set in a lighter in mood and we celebrated the diversity and richness of India through songs, instrumental music and folk dance from different parts of the country.
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